I have looked through the archives and couldn't find this answer. I was hoping someone might know.

Does the position of the patient effect outcome of EMG NCV test for neural TOS? I was prone during the test. Coincidentally this is the only position I have found that alleviates the tingling and numbness in my pinky/ring finger. The "corpse pose" in Yoga is what I use to ease the pain in my neck, under my collarbone and arm at night. Sadly it does nothing for the rotator cuff damage.

Any thoughts? Thanks.Daesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

Quite dont believe it matters and the majority of them are done in that position. A few I've seen done while patients in a reclining like exam chair but still prone and laid back to basically flat.VickieCHRONIC PAIN MODERATOR

I was laying on my back for the most part and then on pillows on my stomach for when other parts of the testing...they had to really dig in on me to find the nerves good and even then it wasn't good...so far for me it always points towards more testing such as nerve and muscle biopsies for which I have decline...hope you get better results than I did... The last two neuros said I make a goid case study, I hope you don't get that answer, another answer is the sjogrens is causing all this. Sjogrens can cause a lot of problems...

They need better testing than these...

When do you go back to the doctor for your results, you have my prayers...********************************************** * So many dx's I could write a book* "It would be nice if we could use the edit button in real life"...********>^..^^..^

Oh Chartreux, being a case study is not exactly a positive thought. geesh what a confidence builder. I feel for you.I go back in Tuesday. I have massive bruises from the needles. I look like a heroin addict. I received two steroid shots immediately afterwards for the tendonitis. Talk about fun! But after the flare went away I did feel somewhat better. I really don't want anymore needles for a long time. Hubby almost passed out watching the emg/ncv once he realized it was a needle. He walked out before the cortisone shots. Poor thing. Nothing like watching your darling turn green to distract from poke and zap.Doc so far has found the rotator tears (3), tendonitis (shoulder/elbow) and a partially frozen shoulder. The wrist was broken but he said they really cant do anything as it has healed already. I am just not up for a re-break if I can avoid it. The other Dr never told me it was broken and let it go for 6 mos. It has some residual stiffness and tenderness but the other stuff worries me more. Doc warned me that neural TOS is not easy to treat so we are hoping for something more mundane.I am personally rooting for stomach flu! ;-)Haven't looked at the neck much yet. One bite at a time he said. I think I overwhelmed him. I am just a jumble of sunshine!Enjoy your night, sleep well and a better day tomorrow!DaesinDaesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

I already have had the EMG and review. Came back with no permanent damage but Dr believes irritation is there. He said it was positional and would consider another if this progresses. I go back Tuesday for continued care and to discuss Manual under anesthesia.

See what happens when you don't sleep but 3 hours a day? I know that y'all understand. I am SOOOO brain dead. Sorry for any confusion.....Daesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

Walk as fast as possible away from this doctor, the one thing you don't need is MUA, it's chiropractic...no no no...go and find a good doctor that will do MRI's with and without contrast...TOS is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome you can google it for further results...Sounds like this doctor has already done enough to you do not do the MUA, I had it done and have felt worse since...If you have budging disc in your neck MUA can make things worse...Ask about light physical therapy with ultra sound over this...anything over any type chiropractic...I'd rather do accupuncture over anything chiropractic...time to get another doctor....

My appt was rescheduled for two weeks. Which is good I think. I googled MUA and that looks like it will cause more damage. I fell and scar tissue developed due to the damage. Would rather have another 10lbs baby with no epidural! I will strongly suggest a new w/contrast MRI and not take NO for an answer. So much has happened since the last MRI.

The potential risks to MUA include broken bones, torn soft tissue and nerve damage. I already have enough of those. What I saw on the MUA videos was much more violent than the original fall. How can that NOT cause more scar tissue? I am assuming the horrible take your knees out from under you *pops* (not a strong enough word) in my shoulder are scar tissue breaking loose? Though I have noticed I have a bit more range after I get up and quit crying.

My advocate is encouraging the Dr to go in arthroscopically to get the scar tissue. She says this way he will find all of the damage and fix me in a 'one stop shopping" kinda afternoon. Still not convinced. I really would rather avoid surgery but I am sooooooo ready for things to get better.

Thanks for the heads up!Daesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

Daesin, I have seen many successful MUA's for frozen shoulder syndrome. Of course a person has to be put under for the procedure, no human could handle the pain associated with that. The flip side is if you could stand to have PT attempt to break up some of the scar tissue. The way it works with scar tissue is some people are more prone than others when it comes to buldling up scar tissue. Keep in mind when a person has surgery to remove scar tissue they can only remove so much or else they run the risk of opening up a new hole can of worms.

If you have thoracic outlet syndrome, then I would be ask to be referred to a vascular surgeon who treats TOS patients for a consult. Not every specialist has experience in dealing with TOS & this is something you need to have checked by a specialist that knows all about it.

StrayDog, thank you for an opposing view. I agree with the TOS consult. That is on my list of topics for the next appt. Along with another MRI and improved sleeping.

I am freaked by the MUA. How can that not cause more damage? Its violent! I absolutely understand the unconscious requirement. Yikes! I wont agree to anything until I understand the process and consequences. I don't want more damage. We are trying to reduce the damage not increase.

Neural TOS is not confirmed. During the exam he held my arm out and my pulse disappeared at my wrist when I looked away. He seemed taken back as he had me stand up and he did it again. Same result. The X-rays all came back clean. Not even a bit of arthritis in my neck. No structural anomalies in the shoulder/arm. He said I didn't quite fit the criteria. So we did the EMG/NCV. It came back with "some minor problems" (he wasn't specific and I haven't seen the report).

Right now he is focusing on the shoulder impairment. He said he couldn't assess the effect of the Rotator cuff damage until we get better movement (thaw out). The cortisone shots (elbow/shoulder)have helped some. But only with some movements.

I have gone from a drug seeker, faker and malingerer to considerations for MUA and TOS... on top of the other known issues. What a whirlwind.They say each Dr has their own approach. I have gone from stuck in the mud to hyper drive. I don't agree with everything he says but he is the only one who has touched the pain. This is the first time in 6 months that I can say I feel less pain. I still cant move right but my shoulder/arm is no longer screaming 24/7...now it is yelling 24/7 and screams often. So some improvement.Daesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

I understand the fear of an MUA, but think about this a minute, if the drs were causing more damage, do you really think that number 1. drs would continue to keep doing these procedures, number 2. insurance companies would not approve or pay for them. Insurance companies are in the business to make money not lose it. Yes, it would be a loss if they allowed drs to do MUA's that always resulted in more damage which would result in more money being spent by the carrier to fix more problems. I can assure you, I would do an MUA on a shoulder a whole lot quicker than I would allow them to scope my shoulder. That's surgery no matter how you look at it & shoulder surgery is very painful to recover from. Don't be fooled by it being arthroscopic surgery that its no big deal because it is.

Ultimately, its your decision on what direction you decide to take. I just wanted to make you aware that MUA's are not failures. Also, when an MUA is done the person has to stay in an active PT program to keep the shoulder free & moving that is the key to getting the shoulder back working.

Straydog/Susie: I totally understand your view point MUA and that it can be good for some people and it has some advantage at that, but if the doctor did this before doing mri's to check for neck damage first then that is probably a doctor to stay away from. Updated Mri's with and without contrast probably should be ordered up to make sure there is no existing damage.

However, Daesin, you need to ask if the MUA is going to be just involving shoulder area and what exactly is going to be done and you do have the right to say "No" to any manipulations involving the neck region.

Also, Ultrasound therapy is a very good therapy for breaking up scar tissue and has also been used for years and is also something to ask the doctor about, maybe a combo of both Ultrasound therapy and the MUA for only your shoulder would work the best.

I did not mean to freak you out Daesin, my apologies, I thought the MUA was for your neck area and that is something to stay away from. You should go back to your doctor and ask for a detailed explanation of what is going to be done and where.

Hope this helps you better and my apologies, just make sure to ask questions...

The MUA for your shoulder should be fine, just make certain that it's limited to your shoulder area as they can do that.********************************************** * So many dx's I could write a book* "It would be nice if we could use the edit button in real life"...********>^..^^..^

ChartreuxYou did not freak me out. Watching the videos did. You and StrayDog were kind enough to give me viewpoints on this particular process. I appreciate the info. I need to have these conversations and learn from your experiences. This helps me understand what is happening and the education helps me to develop a plan.I have gained so much from this group. I thank you all for the help. This journey has been a wild ride so far.Daesin

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

You may want to ask your dr that has proposed this if you can speak with a patient of his that has had an MUA. Sometimes drs & patients are willing to do this & meet at the drs office.

An MUA of the shoulder really has nothing to do with the neck. Ask the dr how many MUA's he has done, or if he is referring you out I would ask the same question.SusieModerator Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums